CarMax 'Certified Quality Inspection' is load of crap Schaumburg Illinois
We just bought a 2001 BMW 330ci at CarMax in Schaumburg, IL (April 2003). After driving the car for a week, we noticed a shaking when the brake was applied. Thinking it was just worn brakes, we brought it back to CarMax to have inspected. It turns out that 3 of the 4 wheel rims on the car were bent. While CarMax would order replacements free of charge, the service people told us that its "not recommended to drive". Also, since it would take 5 days to receive the new rims, the best loner car we could get was a Chevy Malibu.
First of all, how does a car which is described by their own technicians as "not recommended to drive" get past their hyped 'Certified Quality Inspection'? Secondly, the best loner-car we were offered was a Chevy Malibu. While a Malibu will get us from point A to point B, I'm very offended that we were offered a $10,000 loner after we just paid you $31,500 for our BMW. (Not to mention we don't get to drive our new car we just bought for 5 days.)
While this experience hasn't cost us an additional penny, this does tarnish my respect for CarMax's "won't sell bad car" image. Furthermore, with the level of customer service I've received with the loner, CarMax obviously don't care to go the extra mile to make sure that a higher-end customer is satisfied.
Sam
Palatine, Illinois
U.S.A.
5 Updates & Rebuttals
Ward107
Johnstown,Ohio,
U.S.A.
Sorry to hear about your issues
#6Consumer Comment
Wed, July 22, 2009
I am not going to insult you with socially demeners but I will suggest to take your BMW to a certified body shop, because mine was diagnosed previously totaled by the body shop and Carmax replaced one of my rims. I would also have it checked for abuse by a qualified mechanic. In any opinion, the BMW you thought you had bought was prestine is not so. I can only guess it was damaged in theft or run off the road. THe titles are often washed between states and wholesale auctions. Believe me the local aution repairs vehicles too, and the dealerships know which ones to avoid, but for some reason Carmax knows those are the ones to buy.. As a previous victum,I wish you well.
Cory
San Antonio,Texas,
U.S.A.
My Heart Goes Out To You
#6Consumer Comment
Wed, June 10, 2009
FORCED to drive a lowly chevy malibu while your beemer sits in a cold, desolate garage someplace waiting for parts. Oh the horror of it all. I just hope none of your friends see you in the malibu. As for MY experience with BMW's. Went through THREE BMW's in three years. The last one was a black 2 door that I bought just before we sold the house in the city and moved down to the ranch house on 400 acs that some friends of mine own. I came out one morning and the cows were chewing on the mirrors and there was a goat standing on the roof. After I tore the muffler off on a cattle guard, the BMW center replaced it free of charge but said they wouldn't do it again. If it happened again, they'd charge me $1,000. They also said they wouldn't put on mud tires. I sold it and bought a toyota 4 wheel drive. Haven't had a car since. You'd better be prepared. If 3 of the 4 rims were bent, I suspect whomever had the car before you "dogged" it. That beemer's gonna cost you a buttload of money but since you're a "high-end customer", it shouldn't be a problem.
Republican
Kinhumble,Texas,
U.S.A.
Elite Left Wing Media Does it Again
#6Consumer Comment
Wed, June 10, 2009
Sorry to hear about your situation but hate to tell you the following: Chevrolet Malibu has a higher reliability rating than the car you purchased for three times the money ... The elite left wing media makes so many people think bmw, mercedes, etc. is more reliable and it is so far from the truth it is not even funny!
Hope everything works out for you!
Joe
South Barrington,Illinois,
U.S.A.
WHAT DO YOU EXPECT
#6Consumer Comment
Thu, June 12, 2003
First of all I have never purchased a car from CarMax. However I don't care how many quality inspections you do you can always miss something (be it big or small). According to your report they replaced your rims and gave you a loaner. That's more than enough.
As for the loaner being a Chevy Malibu (SO WAHT)
I own a new Mercedes Benz S Class and 2 new Jaguars. When I bring any of these cars in for service I get a loaner from Enterprise rent a car, which usually is a Chevy Cavalier or similar.
Why would you expect to get the same or similar car to the one you purchased. Car dealers would go out of business if they did that.
Further more why would you put yourself so high up. We are all people and shouldn't think we are better just because we drive a better car. I personally own approximately 400K worth of cars and would never insist on having a better loaner when I bring the car in for service.
Be real and be humane.
Joe
Houston,Texas,
U.S.A.
BOO FREAKIN' h*o
#6Consumer Comment
Thu, May 08, 2003
Sam,
While I respect your complaint, there is noone else to blame but yourself. Everyone should know that when buying a previously vehicle, it should be inspected by a mechanic that you trust. You obviously did not do this or you have a bad mechanic. Therefore you can cry all you want and blame CarMax, but the fault is yours.
I think that they did a wonderful follow-up on the customer service aspect with replacing the rims(free of charge) and supplying a loaner car(again free of charge). As for your better than others mentality, there are bigger problems in this world than having to settle on using a Chevy Malibu. If you think that you are entitled to a BMW loaner, why didn't you just buy a NEW BMW?